Registering mechanism for postage meters



Jan 24, 1 928,

1 657 31 6 A. H. PETNEY REGISTERING MECHANISM FOR PCSTAGE METERS, ETC

Filed July 10. 1923 s s eets-sheen.

Fig.1.

u k at:

J il 24, 1928,

1 657 316 A. H, PITNEY REGISTERING MECHANISM FOR POSTAGE -KIIE'IEI'RS, ETC

Filed y 10.1925 I 3$heets=$heet2 Fig. 6,

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1D 55 ll 12 55 54 b 4 5A a 54 ea 54 54 Jan 24, 1928. wfim A. H. FITNEY REGISTERING MECHANISM FOR POSTAGE METERS, ETC

Filed July 10. 1923 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 EMMME DU DOLLARS cam-rs Mwms vi Patented Jan. 24, 1928.,

UNITED TES insert ARTHUR H. PITNEY, F STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY.MES I \TE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO PITNEY-IBOWES POSTAGE METER COMPANY, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTI- cur, A oonroaarionor nnnawnnn.

anersrnmne urncumrsm son rosreen mamas, are.

Original application filed July ia eaa,

This invention relates to registering mechanism, and is particularly designed for use in the sovcalled postage meter machines of thejype shown in my Patents #1,273,793 dated July 23, 1918, Reissue #14316, dated July 13, 1920; and #1,370,668 dated March 8, 1921.

Such machines are designed for use by persons, firms, orv corporations having a large number of letters or packages to malil,

to enablesuch users of the mail to buy any desired amount of prepaid postage from the Government, and print such amount of postage, from time. to time, in any quantities and amounts that they desire, until the total amount of postage for which they paid is exhausted, whereupon the machine will become automatically locked so that no further stamps can be printed thereby.

The present invention is a division of my application for postage meters, filed July 12, 1922, Serial #574,427, and the invention herein covered has particular reference to the counting devices or registering mechanisms used in the aforesaid. machines, but.

such registers or counting mechanisms'are also adapted for use with other types of machines.

I will explain the invention with reference trate one practlcal registering mechanism embodying the invention. The invention, however, is capable of various changes in form, construction and combinations of parts within the scope of the invention. Am understanding of .said mechanism will enable others to adopt and use the invention for various purposes within the scope of the claims,'which set forth the essentials of the invention and the novel features of construction and-novel combinations of parts for which protection is desired. In the drawings I have shown the registering mechanism used in connection with a postage meterlas set forth in the aforesaid parent application, and herein have illustrated and described onlysuch parts of such postage meter machine as is necessary to an understanding of the use of my present invention therewith. I

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the registering mechanism in a meter as described in my serial No. 574,427. Divided and this application filed July '10, Serial No. 650,701. g

showing thev registering: mechanism in ele-.

vation.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section ori the line 33 Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the extreme left hand or highest denomination wheel of the dollar and cents counter as it appears when the meter is charged.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of same on center line.

-Fig. 6 is a view of same wheel before charging. x I

F ig. 7 is a sectional view of Fig. 6 on center line. I

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 88 1 Fig.

Fi Fig.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line 1l-11 Fig. 7/

Fig.12 is a sectional view on the line 1212 Fig. 7.

- Figs. 13 and 14 are sections similar to Fig.

9 is a sectional view on-line 99 v 10 is a section on the line 10 1O 12 illustrating the action of the shield and t th accompanying drawings which nuts: erock lever during one revolution of the numbering wheels.

Figs. 15 and 16 show various readings of the numeral wheels at thesightopenings at dltferent steps in the operation of the meter.

As indicated in the accompanying drawings the meter has a hollow base member 1 upon which is mounted a casing 2 enclosing the counting or registering mechanism. The base 1 preferably is constructed as described in my said application.

Journaled in'the base is a shaft 7, to the outer end of which is securely fastened a coupling member 8, and on the inner end of shaft 7 is fixed a pair of spaced pinions 9 and 9 connected by a suitable hub as indicated .in theldrawings. The inner gear 9 meshes with the gear 50 (see Figs. 3 and 4) attached to the unit wheels 50 of the counting mechanism in the casing as hereinafter described, said counting mechanism being actuated by the rotation of the shaft 7.

lrVithin the casing 2 is a frame 3 carrying ion the registering or counting mechanisms here on Led inaiter referred to. This name 3 is spaced of itsnumeral wheels is communicated to the next numeral wheel of higher denomination by means of intermittently operated gears.

[he unit wheel 50 is the prime mover oi the series. 1 Each of the wheels is moved in regular order of progression by means otits gear connection with the unit wheel.

As shown in 1-2, a series of such numeral wheels 50,- 51, 52,53, 54 are loosely mounted on a spindle 60, supported in the.

ends of the frame 3. The wheel 50 is the unit wheel of the series and has connected therewith a spur gear 50", and a one teeth gear 50*, securely fastened together and acting as one piece. The gear 50 of the unlt wheel 50 meshes with the spur gear 9 on the I drive shaft 7 of the'meter, consequently any iribtion of this shaft? (which is coupled by;

coupling 8 to the mechanism to which the meter is applied) will be communicated to the unit wheel50, and therefrom to the other numeral wheels in order.

In the example shown there are five numeral wheels 50, 51, 52, 53, 5a, in the main counting or registering mechanism. lVheel being the units or cents wheel; 51 the tens wheel 52 the hundreds or dollar wheel; 53 the tens of dollars wheel; and 54 the hundreds of dollars wheel, as hereinafter explained. Each of these wheels is provided with a spur gear 50 and one tooth gear 50 either formed integral therewith or secured thereto so that all act as one; similar parts being similarly lettered in the drawings.

Parallel to spindle 50 is a spindle 61v set r machine wh ch PlllltS postage stamps of v(lenominations varying from 195 to $1.00 cons.

in the frame 3., Upon this spindle 61 are loosely mounted small pinions 62 each having ten teeth but each alternate tooth is cut or milled away at, one end as at 62 forming 5..st0ps (see Fig. 1). One o'f these intermediate pinipns 62is placed on spindle 60 adjacent and between each pair of adjacent numeral wheels 50 51; 51 -52; 5354; etc., in such a way that the complete toothed portion of pinion 62 will mesh with the spur.

teeth by and for each revolution pf its related gear 50*, and as each gear 50 has 20 teeth it follows that any numeral wheel of higher denomination n the series will be limited t tootsie advanced of a revolution for each revolution of the numeral wheel of next lower denomination. Thus the numeral wheels will be properly operated in sequence as is required in any consecutive numbering or registering device. The numeral wheels and their carryover devices above described are of well known construction and do not require more detailed explanation or illustra-. tion. Further, while li'prefer to use this type of construction of registering wheels and carryover devices the invention isnot hereto, and any other suitable kind of registering wheels and carryover devices could be used. l have provided novel means for locking said registering mechanism against further operation when it has completed its full count, as explained in my aforesaid application.

If in a counter containing 3 numeral wheels it is desired to subtract instead of to add, the wheels should be set to start at zero (000) which in reality is 1000 as the next number in the series is 999 and when so set it will subtract consecutively a unit at a;

time till 001 is reached; then the next count (decrease of'l) will bring all the wheels back to'zero again (000 which is actual zero this time, as 1000 has con subtracted from the original count. I have therefore provided means for automatically locking the meter at this point (as described in my said application), and when so locked the numeral 'wh'eels cannot be shifted until. the

locking mechanism has been resetfibyhand. The object of this locking and resetting is fully explained in my aforesaid apPlica tion.

The particular meter illustrated in; the drawings and more fully describedin my said application is designed for 'u'se'o'n, a

sequently the registering mechanism osgno counter in this meter should be made to locl; when theB numeral wheels (52, 53, 5 4) indicating dollars come to their Zero positions disregarding the positions of the two wheels 50, 51, which indicate cents.

To each numeral wheel 52, 53, 54, a disk is attached, and preferably placed at the left hand side of such wheel, as shown in Fig, 2. Each disk 52, 53, or, has a radial slot 50 in its periphery to admit the related tooth (14, 14?, 148) of a locking member 14. lhis locking member is is pivoted at one end on a rod is between two upwardly projecting lugs on the floor oi the counter frame 3 (see jecting teeth 14:, 14*, i l (see Fig 2) mergers spectively positioned so as to engage with towards the door -2'of the. meter casing and 'forms a convenient handle by which the locking member 14 can be depressed by hand, to disengage its teeth from the disks, when resetting the meter. Said plate 14 v also has a downwardly extending portion its full cycle of operations.

14 (Fig. 2) which extends through a slot v in the floor of the frame 3 into the space between the floor of the counter frame 3 and the top of thebase 1 into position to engage the meter locking lever 6 hereinafter referred to. i

v The teeth 14*, 14, 14 of the locking member 14 vary in length-relative to the disks 54, 53, and 52 with which they make engagement. The tooth 14 which engages the disk 54 will bear on disk 54 and hold teeth 14* and 14, clear of their disks 53 and 52 (Fig. 2) untiltooth l4 enters the'slot 54 in disk 54, then the tooth 14, .the next in length, will bear on the disk 53, and holding tooth 14 clear of disk. 52 until tooth 14 enters the slot in disk 53; then the tooth 14 bears on disk 52 until it enters the slot in disk 5 2. Thereupon (there being no further obstruction) the three teeth 14*, 14 and 14 enter their respective slots to the full depth and lockthe respective numeral wheels at zero.

When the three numeral wheels all sho w zero at the sight opening (Fig. 15) 'the teeth 14 14, 14 of the locking member 14 are all seated in the slots in the disks 54, 53, and 52, respectively.

When the meter is to be reset or charged the locking member 14 is pulled down by hand, to disengage the teeth from the disks and release the wheels for further with the slots 54, 53, and 52, again, upon releasing thehand pressure on 14, if no obstacle to the teeth 14, etc, entering the slots intervened. I therefore provide means to prevent the locking member reengaging the numeral wheels after they are released thereby, until the meter has again performed For this urpose I provide a shield 55 (Figs. 1, 2 and 47) which may be in the form of a ring and is slidably mounted on the unit of which the numeral wheel 54 forms a. part.

Figs. 4 to 7 show 'in detail the, construction of the unit of which wheel 54 forms a part, and which unitconsists of the spur gear 54, numeral wheel 54, disk 54, sleeve 54 and a one-tooth gear 54 all of which are formed orrigidly fastened together and opsleeve 54.

crate as one piece. The sleeve 54 has an annular flange 54 upon the periphery of which a figure 1 1s engraved or marked in, line with the 0 mark on the wheel 54.

A ring 55 is loosely mounted on sleeve 54 between flange 54 and disk 54, said ring being preferably exteriorly knurled to facilitate its being turned by hand. This ring has an annular port1on 55 on its side surrounding the periphery of flange 54,"and in this flange is a notch 55, to permit the numeral 1 on flange 54 to be exposedto view when the ringis turned to bring the notch over the numeral, as in Fig. 9.

The ring 55 also has a lug 55". on its side opposite the part 55 which lug projects over the periphery of the disk 54, this lug 55 being large enough to completely cover the slot 54 in thedisk 54, when in register therewith (Fig.-

leaving therest of the perlphery of disk 54 exposed (see Fig. 7).

A short segmental slot 55 is formed in the inner side of the ring 55, see Fig. 10, and is engaged by a pin 54, projecting from the This pin and slotlimit the extent of rotatorial movement of the ring 55 on sleeve 54, so it can be moved just sufficient to cause lug 55 to cover and uncover theslot 54 and notch 55 to expose or hide the numeral 1 on flange 54. The notch 55 and the lug 55 are so positioned with relation to the disk 54 and flan e54 thatthe numeral 1 on the flange is only exposed to View when the lug 55 covers the slot 54.

Fig. 6 shows the appearance of the hundred dollar unit looking down from. the dial side of the meter case, just before charging or setting the meter, at which time the numeral 1 on flange 54 is hidden by the rim 55 of the ring 55. Then the meter is charged or set. The numeral lis exposed through the notch 55 asin Fig. 4. When the Wheel 54 is revolved of a revolution the friction of the ring 55 on the sleeve 54 may not cause ring 55 to turn with it, or, on the other hand, the pressure of the tooth 14 on the lug 55 may cause the ring 55 to standstill; but in either case the numeral 1 on flange 54 will be removed from sight on the dial or at the sight opening, and the next time the wheel 54 is turned 1 0' of a revolution, the ring will be. forced to move the Han e 54 by the pin 54 in slot 55 it. Fig; 13 shows the disk near the comletion ot a. revolution of the numeral wheel, and the lug 55 fallen; orjarred down so that it again covers the slot Fig, 1a shows the disk 5e still further advanced and illustrates how the pointot-tooth-'14 will push the lug 55 iout of the way until it can enter" the sl'otas illustrated inFig. 12.

To prevent shaft 7 orgear Qbeing turned backward so as to reverse the movement of thecounter numeral wheels and imprdperly alter the count registered thereby, a pawl 10, Figs. 2, and 3. is pivoted on the end of the frame 3, beside the gear 9, and is nor? mally held in engagement with said gear by "a spring 10, thus eliectually preventing any backward movement of the shaft 7;

To prevent any unauthorized shifting of or tan'ipering with the numeral wheels of the counter, or improper rotation of the shaft 7,

a catch 1.1 is pivoted at 11 on the insideback wall of the meter and is normally urged int'o cngagen'ient with the teeth ofthe gear Q by a spring 11 and isonly prevented from taking this position by reason of its lower arm 11 rest ng on the shutterlever 6 (Fi 2-1) as described in my said application. This catch 11 engaging gear 9 prevents its rotation in one direction while pawl 10 prevents frame 3g-and the long arm 13 of the lever projects beneaththe counter wheels, toward the door of the case 2. lVhen arm 13 is moved toward the right the short arm 13 is the different settings of the subtracting moved away from the frame 3 and will'engage a pin ll at-tached to the catch 11, and.

thereby move catch 11 out of engagement with the gear 9 Below the counter frame '3, in the space provided by the distance pieces-3 is a two armed lever 6,fpivoted on st d G and connected with a spring 6 The longer arm 6 of this lever 6 extends back toward the wall l of the casing and its extremity is flaredout in the form of a sector 6 centered at the stud-6. The inside of the wall of the casing basal is preferably concaved to fitthe convex head 6- of the lever arm 6* and allow it eaters wheel of the above described counter.

hole ltand endeavors to enter the hole 6 in thehead 6, said head thus constituting a shutter for the hole 1.

' is connected the spring 6 which urges it toward the left, but is normally prevented from so moving it by the interposition of the project-ion 14* on the-locking member 14-.

(See Figs. 1 and 2.)

=Vvhen the shutter lever 6 is so positioned that its short arm 6* rests against the projection 14; of locking member 14, the hole 6? in the headfi is directl'yin line with the hole 1 in the'base' 1; so that the pin 15 (see Figs, 3. and 2). can enter hole 6 If however,

the-projection 1 9- is removed as by the raising at the locking member 14, then the springfi will cause the shutter lever (5 to reckon its pivot 6 and the holes 6 and 1 will not register and pin 15 cannot enter hole ,6, and the meter cannot then be effectively operated until reset. These parts being fully described in my aforesaid application.

The total register.

To the left of the subtracting counter above described, and suitably spaced there from is the total register. This is preferably composed (as shown) of two numeral wheels 56 and 57 (Figs. 1, 2) mounted on the spindle 60 and receiving their mot-ion directly from the last or highest order numeral In terms of the construction shown the total register is in fact a duplicate of parts of the first counter, but the total register numeral wheels are arranged to add instead of subtract, and the total-register shows the sum of counter. i

As shown in the drawing the numeral wheel 56 has a spur gear 50 having one tooth 50 adapted to coact with an intermediate pinion 62 which is operated by a one tooth gear 54 on the sleeve 5 and motion is transmitted from the unit carrying wheel 54130 the wheel 56 and'from the latterto wheel 57 by the same means and in the same manner that motion is tranzmitted from a numeral wheel of lower denomination to the numeral wheel of the next higher denomination in the subtracting counter as above described; and similar parts being similarly lettered in the drawings, it is unnecessary to enter into a detailed description of the construction and operation of the total register. The numbers on the numeral wheels in the total register however are arranged reversely to the numbers on the wheels in the subtracting counter; so that while the latter starts at the highest number {1000) and subtracts until the zero is reached, the total register will start at zero and reached.

As above stated and as shown the units wheel 56 of the total register is directly geared to or driven by the hundreds dollar wheel 54 of the subtracting counter. Therefore as wheel 56 is directly geared to the wheel 54 wheel A'vill be moved of a revolution for each revolution of the wheel 54. The subtracting counter (in the construction shown) has to be reset for each $1,000.00, therefore the total register will register or add one unit every time the subtracting counter completes its 'full quota of add until its highest number is operations, at which time the registering mechanism will become locked against further effective eperations as describedin my said application until it is rset'or charged.

' In practiceihe subtracting register is charged or reset a definite -amount at each setting ($1,000.00 in the meter shown). Therefore, the reading of the total register will show the number of times the meter' has been charged or reset, and this total multiplied by 1000 (in the meter shown) will.

show the total amount of postage in dollars Which the owner :of the meter has paid for.

Operation of the counter and register.

As stated, the registering mechanism is shown as part of a meter designed to be removably attached to a machine to register the number of operations thereof, the meter shown being particularly adapted to be at-,

tached'to a postage meter machine of the type shown in my Patent #l,273,793 and '#l,370,668, or other machines of like genthereof as may come in operative connec- 'tion with the meter when the latter is properly positioned in the machine. It .will suffice to state that such machine is provided with a printing mechanism, with a meter pin 15 and driving connection, anda lock, all adapted to function as described in my said application.

When the meter is used in connection with such a machine the meter is supposed to be taken to the Post Ofiice Department and (if the meter has a subtracting counter as shown) the,0wner purchases one thousand dollars worth of postage and the post office ofiicial will set the subtracting meter to show the full amount of $1000 at the sight open-- ing. The post oflice oliicial then seals the meter and when so set the meter can be replaced on the machine and the latter operated as desired until practically the full amount of $1000 postage has been used by printing stamps to that amount by succes.

sive operations of the machine. The subtracting counter cannot be operated unless the meter is in place on the machine, as when remo ed therefrom the meter is automatically locked as hereinafter explained. When the meter is in place oh the machine, the unit wheel of the subtracting counter will be operated for each operation of the machine.

If it is desired to have the meter set for a larger amount of postage more numeral wheels would have to be used in the subtracting counter. If it is desired to have a less amount of postage sold for each setting, less numeral wheels could be employed in the subtracting counter. In the example shown five numeral wheels are used in the subtracting counter and therefore $1000 worth of postage is presumed to be purchased at each setting of the meter. This capacity is governed by the number of figcounterand such' auxiliary figure 1 auto-. matlcally becomes visible upon moving the lug against which the last tooth 14: (to

the left) on the locking comb rests, down each time the meter jis,recharged. As the five ciphers disappear the five 9s appear instead, and the auxiliary figure 1 just mentioned disappears beneath the circular shield and the figure 1 on the units wheel of the ascending or total counter to the left appears.

The ascending. or total counter operates in an ascending series and its only function is to indicate the number of times the dollar and cents counter has been set to capacity and at the same time indicate the total amount of money aid for postage to date, the figures on the dollars and cents counter always indicating the amount of money still available before the meter locks. For instance, if the total register has two wheels and the dollars and cents counter has five wheels, and the meter has been set or recharged 23 times it would show that the mailer .had paid $23,000 to date, and still had to his credit in the meter whatever amount might be shown on the subtracting counter. In other words, the total register would have a capacity of showing up to 99 separate and successive purchases of $1000 worth of postage at each purchase.

two wheels and read 23 it would mean that the meter had been reset 23 times for the capacity of $100 each-this would-be the same as saying the mailer had paid for $2300 worth of postage to date with whatever balance might be indicated; In other words, the total register not only indicates the number of times the meter has been set but also the total amount in dollars of the postage paid for.

' With a geared counter and suitable connections it would bepossible to print any denomination of stamp desiredfrom 1 to $1.00 on one stamp, with greater ease and positive action than with a ratchet counter of either the external or internal type of movement and subtract the amount of postage used at each operation from the, total appearing at the sight opening of the subtracting counter. 7 Operation of charging or setting the meter.

As described in my said application, the

meter is originally set at zero; the numeral 6 @wheels all showing at the total sight opening T (Fig. and 000.00 at the subtracting counter (dollar and cents) sight opening S (Fig.- 15). The teeth of the locking comb 14'will then be fully engaged with the notched disk wheels 54, 53, and 52, and the hole. 1 in the back wall of the meter will be closed by the shutter lever head 6 'and the catch 11 engaged with the gear 9; in other words, the meter and counters will be eifectually locked against operation.

Upon opening the door 2 of the case 2,

the three levers 13*, 6 and 14 and the knurled ring 55, are accessible. The lever 13 is then moved to the right causing its short arm 13 to engage thepin 11 and push the catch 11 out of engagement with the teeth of the gear-9, and lifting its lower arm 11 clear of the path of the shutter lever arm 6 Next the arm 6 of lever 6 is moved to the right, this will cause the shutter arm 6 to move head 6* into the-position Where its hole 6 lines up with hole 1 in the wall of the meter. Next, by means of the handle 14, the locking member is moved 'downward disengaging the teeth 14, 14,

and 14 from the slots in the disks of numeral wheels 54, 53, 52; and this downward movement of locking. member 14 causes its projection 14" to extend below the counter frame 3 and prevents the lever 6 from being returned to'normal position by its spring 6 Finally the knurled ring 55 is turned so as to cause. lug 55 to cover the slot 54 in the disk 54 of wheel 54 and prevent the re-entry I: of the tooth 14 of the locking member -14 into said slot and hold the locking member depressed against the action of its springs '14 and the teeth 14 an 14. will an, be

held clear of the slots in their related disks.

The turning of the ring 55,-to cause lug 55 sight opening is proof that the meter hasbeen properly set; it also shows that $1000 in postage has been paid for and can be used instead of leaving it to be inferred, as would have to be the case if only 000.00 appeared at the sight opening of the subtracting counter after the setting or charging; the dial would also read exactly the same both before and after charging, if it were not for the'introduction of the extra figure 1 just mentioned and as. shown in Figs. 4 and 6. v

The tiutomatio locking of the match} '1 into view on the dial. The reading at the sight opening T of the total register will then be 01 (see Fig. 16) and at the sight opening S of the subtracting counter will-be 999.99.

lVhen the numeral wheel 54 has been turned until the tooth 14 enters the slot 54 the next tooth 14 of the locking'member 14 rests on the periphery of the disk 54 of numeral wheel- 53 and will enter the slot 53 therein the next time it registers therewith, which will be when the subtracting counter shows 009.99.

- The last tooth 14 will now rest on disk 52? and when the slot 52 therein registers with the tooth 14, which will happen when the dial reads 000.99 or less all obstructions will be removed and all the teeth 14*, 14, and 14 will enter their respective slots to the full depth and the locking member 14 will riseto its limit, drawing up with it the downwardly projecting lug 14 k Then the lug 14 is drawn up out of the way of lever 6 spring 6 would oscillate the shutter. lever 6 on its pivot 6 but is pretion of the then occurring printing operation gagement with the gear wheel 9 thus looking the drive shaft 7 of the meter, and the hole 1 being closed the meterpin 15 cannot enter.

What I claim is: i

1. For a counter, a numeral wheel having a sl0t, and a sleeve having a numeral 1 in' line with the 0 of the wheel, the number 1 and slot being relatively so .disposed that when the number is exposed the slot'is closed.

2. For a counter, a numeral wheel having a slot and a sleeve having a numeral 1 in line with the O on the wheel, the number 1 and slot being relatively so disposed that when the number is exposed the slot is closed,

with means whereby the numeral isco'vered and the slot uncovered upon the initial operation movement of the wheels.

3. In a counter, a numeral wheel having.

when the number 1 is exposed'through the notch in the ring thelug covers the'slotin the wheel.

5.'A counter having the wheel of higher denomination provided with a sleeve, a numeral 1 on this sleeve in line with the numeral 0 of the wheehamember mounted on the sleeve adapted to uncover the said numeral 1 when inone position, and means whereby the movement of the member is limited to cover or uncover said numeral 1.

6. In a meter for the purpose specified, a counter comprising a series of numeral wheels, mechanism for operating the units wheel means for carr inw over from a wheel of lo'werdenomination to the-Wheel of next higher denominatiomand means for locking the numeral wheels when they have reached predetermined positions, said means having a tooth adapted to enter a slot in the wheel of'higher denomination to lock said wheehand a ring on said wheel having a lug adapted to be adjusted to cover said slot and prevent the tooth locking member entering it when the counter is reset.

'7. Fora counter, a numeral wheel having disposed that when the number is exposed the slot is closed, and means whereby the member is caused to cover the numeral and uncover the slot upon the initial operation movement of the wheels.

9. In a counter, a numeral wheel having a sleeve and'a radial slot, a number 1 on the sleeve in line with the 0 on the wheel, a locking member having a tooth adapted to engage the slot and lock the wheel when it has made a complete revolution, and a ring on the sleeve having a flange adapted to cover the number 1 but provided with a notch whereby said number may be uncovered, said ring also having a lugadapted to cover the slot to prevent the locking member engaging therewith when the counter is .in-

} itially set for operation.

10. In mechanism as setfor'th 'in claim 9, the notch and lug on the ring being relatively so disposed that when the number 1 is exposed through the notch in the ring the lug covers the slot in the wheel, and

means whereby the ring is caused to be shifted to cover the numeral and uncover the slot upon initial operative movement of the wheels.

1h In a meter for the purpose specifiecha counter comprising a series of numeral wheels, a numeral 1 displayed in line with the numeral 0 on the wheel of highest denomination when the counter is .set, means whereby the said numeral 1 is covered on the initial shifting of the wheels, said means comprising a ring having a notch adapted to. uncover said numeral 1 when the ring is turned in one position, and means whereby the movement of the ring is limited to cover or uncover said numeral 1.

12. Ina register numeral wheels, a locking comb having teeth of unequal length respectively adapted to engage the related numeral wheels as they reach zero; a member attached to the numeral wheel of highest denomination adapted to prevent the tooth of the locking comb engaging such numeral wheel when the register is charged; means whereby said member is withdrawn upon the initial advance movement of said wheel, so that when the wheel again arrives at zero position the tooth can engage same, said numeral wheel of highest denomination having an auxiliary is displaced when said the numeral-,O on the wheel of highest I eavers numeral wheel is adjusted to zero position, and means whereby the auxiliary numeral is covered upon the initial operation ofthe register. e

13. In a meter for the purpose specified, a counter comprising a series of numeral wheels, a numeral 1 displayed in line with denomination when the counter is set, means whereby the said numeral 1 is covered on the initial shifting of the wheels, said numeral wheel of highest denomination having an auxiliary figure 1 beside the mark,

and said member being mounted on said numeral wheel and having a slot adapted to uncover the auxiliary numeral when-the numeral wheel is adjusted to'zero position, an

means whereby the device is shiftedlsd as to cover the auxiliary numeral upon the first operation ofthe register, substantially as described.-

' 14:. Acounter having a wheel of higher denomination. provided with'.. a,. sleeve, an auxiliary numeral 1 on this sleeve iii line with the numerallfi) of the wheel, and

vmeans adapted to cover the said auxiliary.

numeral 1 in one position, and to uncover same in another position,

15. A counter having a wheel of higher denomination provided with an auxiliary" numeral 1 in line with the numeral 0 of the wheel, and a rotatable member adapted to cover the said auxiliary numeral 1 in one position, and to uncover same in another position. Y Y

16. A counter having numeral wheels, a locking device adapted to engage the numeral wheels as and when they arrive at zero; a member adapted to prevent the locking 'device engaging the numeral wheel of highest denomination when the register is charged; means whereby said member is withdrawn upon the initial ad- -vance movement of said wheel so'that when said wheel again arrives at zero position the locking ClGVICQ can engage same, the nuineral Wheel of highest denominationhaving an auxiliary figure 1 beside the zero mark; and the member being adapted to permit the display of said auxiliary numetal 1 when said numeral wheel is in Zero position, and to cover the auxiliary numeral upon the initial operation of the register.

17. A register having numeral wheels, a locking member adapted to engage the numeral wheels as and when they arrive atv zero; a sleeve rotatably mounted on the numeral Wheel of highest denomination and 1 adapted" to prevent the lock-in member engaging such numeral wheel when the register is charged; and means whereby vsaid sleeve is shifted upon the initial advance movement of said wheel so that when the wheel again arrives at zero position the locking member can engage same.

18. In registering mechanism as set forth in claim 17 said numeral wheel of highest denomination having an auxiliary figure 1 adjacent the zero mark, and the said sleeve having a notch adapted to permit the display of said auxiliary numeral when said numeral wheel is in zero position and to obscure the auxiliary numeral upon the initial operation of the register.

19. In mechanism of the character specified, a set of numeral wheels, means for carrying over from one numeral wheel to the other, the numeral wheel of the highest denomination in the set having an numeral 1 beside the numeral 0 thereon; an adjustable sleeve on said wheel; and means whereby when the numeral wheels are all adjusted to 0, the sleeve is shifted so thatthe auxiliary numeral 1 indicating the next still higher denomination is displayed; and means whereby the sleeve is shifted upon the first operation of the register after such setting operation to obscure the aux- ARTHUR H; PITNEY. 

